Gotthold Eisenstein was born Ferdinand Gotthold Max Eisenstein on April 16, 1823, in Berlin. There he studied mathematics at the university. Shortly thereafter the founder and editor of the "Journal für die reine angewandte Mathematik" ("Journal for Pure Applied Mathematics") August Crelle discovered the mathematical genius of Eisenstein. His mentor introduced him to Alexander von Humboldt, who became his patron. Humboldt then sent Eisenstein to Carl Friedrich Gauß in Göttingen in 1844. Gauß was also showed much enthusiasm for the young mathematician's talent. Gauß' recognition soon brought Eisenstein an international reputation and already during his third semester at the university, he was presented with an honorary doctorate by the University of Breslau. In 1847, Eisenstein began his post-doctoral work in Berlin and also held lectures there. Gauß' recommendation brought about his induction into the Göttingen Academy in 1851 and he was later inducted into the Berlin Academy in 1852 on the recommendation of the mathematician Peter Gustav Lejeune Dirichlet. Eisenstein died on October 11, 1852 in Berlin from tuberculosis. Eisenstein's work is still recognized today because of the terms named for him, the Eisenstein integers, the Eisenstein series, and the Eisenstein function.